Directory of Sessions in New Zealand

JUMP TO:
AUCKLAND; CHRISTCHURCH; DUNEDIN; HAMILTON; HASTINGS; NELSON; PALMERSTON NORTH; TAURANGA; WELLINGTON

If any information here needs to be updated please let me know.
(A map of New Zealand is available here.)

North Island

AUCKLAND

Where: Dogs Bollix, Newton Road, Auckland City
When: Tuesdays, 8:30 pm.
Contact: janefromont(at)hotmail.com
Also: "They also have folkie type guests on a Sunday afternoon. 4-6pm"
Updated: 29/10/2004

Where: The Bog, Parnell Road, Parnell
When: Sundays, 7:00 pm
Notes: Nomially Irish session but a good variety of music, tunes and songs.
Added 18/11/2008

Where: The Bunker, Mt. Victoria, Devonport, Auckland
When: 1st Sunday or every month, 1pm - 5pm.
Contact: bunkernewroots(at)gmail.com
Notes: 1-2pm is a tune workshop then 2-5om trad session. all levels welcome.
Updated: 11/3/2006

Where: The Clare Inn, Dominion Road, Mount Eden
When: Mondays, 7:30 pm
Notes: Mostly tunes - Irish trad, excellent music
Added 18/11/2009

Where: 99a McEntee Road, Waitakere, Waitakere City
When: Sundays, 5:00 - 8:00 pm.
Who: Trevor Sommers
Email: tsommers(at)ihug.co.nz
Notes: Singers, musicians, listeners, drinkers welcome.
Updated: 2/6/2007

Where: The Thirsty Dog
When: First and third Monday of each month, around 8:30 pm.
Notes: Eclectic mix of contemporary acoustic music mixed with old hits, jazz standards and the odd traditional tune.
Updated 7/6/2009

HAMILTON

Where: Biddy Mulligans Victoria Street
When: Third Sunday of the month 5.00 - 8.00 ish
Contact: Noel Armstrong 856 4589
Email: noel(at)nicklin.co.nz
Who: All welcome
What: "This a Trad. session, tunes, singing and if we're cold enough occasionally some spontaneous dancing. All welcome."
Updated: 29/10/2004

TAURANGA

Where: The Kingsley Jones Bar, Marine Parade
When: First Tuesday of each month at 8.00pm
Contact: Trevor Sommers (TSommers(at)tgc.school.nz)
What: Songs and Tunes led by REEL McCOY on Irish pipes, banjo, accordion etc - mainly Celtic
Updated: 16/10/2004

HASTINGS

Where: Rosie O'Grady's Irish Pub, Karamu Road, Hastings
When: Tuesday evening, 8:00 pm.
Contact: Keith Gosney
Phone: 06 876 5867
Email: klgosney(at)xtra.co.nz
Updated: 9/5/2009

PALMERSTON NORTH

Where: Celtic Inn
When:Tuesday nights
What: "'Tis a very smokey joint, so be warned."
Contact: Duncan Davidson and PaulTurner (Phone numbers unknown)
Updated: 20/12/02

WELLINGTON

Where: Kitty O'Sheas (Courtney Place)
When: Monday Nights, from about 8:30 pm
What: "Led by fiddle and flute, it's for advanced players......all tune-jockeys welcome. Though beginners might be more comfortable listening."
Contacts: Pat Higgins (Phone 388 4190), Ruairidh Morrison (Phone 389 0870)
Updated: 4/4/04

Where: Molly Malone's, corner Taranaki St and Courtney Place
When: Monday night from 8:30 pm
What: Tunes Irish, English and Scottish, some singing later when requested by patrons.
Who: Beginners nurtured - we tend to run through a stock set of tunes (obtaining a copy of "Begged Borrowed and Stolen" is a good idea).
Contact: David Barnes (david.barnes(at)xtra.co.nz)
Updated: 29/10/2004

South Island

NELSON

Where: Maen Fiddler [sic], Bridge Street
When: Every Tuesday from 8:30 pm
What: Irish traditional, all levels, tune books (complete with errors!) available $6.
Contact: Brendyn Montgomery
Email: mail(at)brendyn.net
Comments: Intermediate to advanced level session. Brendyn Montgomery, Steve McGlone and Bob Bickerton in regular attendance
Updated: 20/11/2006

CHRISTCHURCH

Where: The Bog, Cashel Sreet
Phone: 03 379 7141
When: Tuesdays, 8:00 pm.
What: Tunes and songs. Beginners/Medium. Lead by Tom Greg and a hard core of about 5, who sit on stage; others sit in the front. Electric bass and vocals through the house PA system. Free beer for musicians.
Updated: 28/7/03

Where: Pomeroy's, 30 Kilmore Street
Phone: 03 365 1523
Email: lbolster(at)jadeworld.com
When: Alternate Tuesdays, 8:00 pm. (Ring to confirm.)
What: Acoustic. Advanced Tunes. Not normally any songs. "Where the guns go."
Updated: 23/11/2006

Where: Bailie's, The Square
Email": russellgillies(at)paradise.net.nz
When: Every Monday night, 7:30 pm.
What: Suitable for everyone. Acoustic only, Not elitist. Folk, Celtic, Country, Blues, Popular. Players (any level) and audience welcome. Discounted beverages for players.
Added: 15/5/2008

DUNEDIN

Where: The Inch Bar, near the "Gardens Corner"
When: First Sunday of each month, from 4:00 pm until about 6:00 pm
What: Celtic tunes. Suitable for experienced players.
Contact: Marcus Turner (Phone 03 476 1330)
Email: mturner(at)nhnz.tv
Updated 29/10/2004

Where: Dicey O'Riley's Pub, High Street, Dunedin
When: Every Friday, 5:30 pm.
What: Beginners' session: tunes and the odd song
Contact: Mike Moroney, Ph 03 471 0242
Updated: 29/10/2004

Directory of Open Mic Sessions in New Zealand

Sessions where singers can turn up and perform.

North Island

AUCKLAND

Where: Grand Central, 126 Ponsonby Road, Auckland City
When: Mondays
Who: Bex (Sound by Eddie Gadger)
Updated: 20/11/2006

Where: Diablo, Ponsonby Road
When: Tuesdays
Who: Nick Hohepa
Updated: 20/11/2006

Where: Clare Inn, Dominion Road
Who: Rick Topp
What: Emphasis on songwriting.
Updated: 20/11/2006